Fluorescence

Total reflection x-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometry is an energy-dispersive x-ray technique that is used for elemental and chemical analysis, and is especially suitable for small-sample analyses. Ursula Fittschen, an assistant professor at Washington State University, is working on elemental microscopy and micro analysis. She has been using TXRF to analyze stainless steel metal release, and also airborne silver nanoparticles (NPs) from fabrics. Here, she describes the advantages and challenges of this technique.

Application of simultaneous absorbance and fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (EEM) analysis to identify and classify freshwater planktonic algal species. Main foci were two major potentially toxic cyanobacterial species associated with algal bloom events in the Great Lakes.

Time‐resolved fluorescence can analyze potential health benefits from antioxidant activity of curcumin, found in turmeric. Curcuminoids, weakly fluorescent in aqueous solution, show quantum yield increases upon interaction with a protein, such as human serum albumin.

An interview with Justin Cooper, winner of a 2011 FACSS Innovation Award. Part of a new podcast series presented in collaboration with the Federation of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies (FACSS), in connection with SciX 2012 ? the Great Scientific Exchange, the North American conference (39th Annual) of FACSS.

X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) provides sensitive analysis of the atomic composition of samples. The technique is particularly well-suited for analyzing the elemental range from sodium to uranium, which covers the majority of the metallic elements.